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Back in the day: The new year is a good time to reflect on the old, and historical photos like this will soon be available online from the Becker County Historical Society.
Photo courtesy of The Becker County Historical Society

The birth rate dropped in Becker County. A total of 522 babies were born in the county. That compares to 528 the previous year. The record is 614 in 1957.

Unofficial first baby of 1963 was a son born to Mr. and Mrs. William Johnson of rural Lake Park. He was 9 pounds and 1 ounce.

The trailer home of Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick Rux, Frazee, was completely destroyed by fire Dec. 31. The couple and their 1-year-old son escaped without injury.

The new nickel letter rate recently enacted into law is the same postage rate Americans paid for letters when the United States listed its first postage stamps 115 years ago.

In 1963, Penney's was celebrating 60 years, and according to the ad, some of the sales included $1.47 for sheets, $3.66 for a full size mattress pad, $3.88 for a "winterweight" blanket and $1.99 for sleepwear.

National food stores had ground beef for 39 cents a pound and pineapple juice, sardines, corn, biscuits and more for 10 cents each. A quart of dill pickles was 35 cents, and baby food was six jars for 69 cents.

The Jaycees of Detroit Lakes continued to plan for the second annual Winterfest celebration, scheduled for Jan. 18-20.

100 years ago

Jan. 3, 1913, is not only interesting to read through for news purposes, but also to see how they worded news stories 100 years ago. Here are some examples, straight from the pages of the Detroit Record.

Judge Dibell of the District court at Duluth has rendered a decision of great importance to all Minnesota cities where licenses to sell liquor are granted. If this decision is sustained by the supreme court, no member of the council can hold a license for which the council must vote.

Uncle Sam's New Year's gift to the nation was the parcel post law, which became effective Jan. 1, in Detroit as well as in every city, village and hamlet throughout the United States and her possessions.

Three hundred and thirty-five persons died from diphtheria in Minnesota during 1911.

The United States consumed during the third quarter of 1912, 450,000 gallons of whiskey and 9.9 million gallons of beer more than during the same quarter of 1911. At this rate, how long would it take this nation to become a model of civilization for the health copy, especially as a large part of the revenue of our government is obtained from its partnership with the liquor business? Statistics show that 72 percent of all criminals were made so by strong drink.

The Adler-i-ka book, telling how you can easily guard against appendicitis, and how you can relieve constipation or gas on the stomach instantly, is offered free this week by the MacGregor Drug Co.